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International – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (1989)

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Journalists Code of Ethics, drafted by the members of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists’ Code of Ethics Committee in Manila, on November 25, 1987, and adopted by the 1989 Seventh Assembly of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists.

PREAMBLE

The Confederation of ASEAN journalists, aware of the responsibility of journalists to the public in each country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with a view to achieving peace and progress in the region, hereby promulgates this Code of Ethics for ASEAN Journalists.

1. The ASEAN journalist shall resort only to fair, open and honest means or efforts to obtain news, photographs or documents necessary to enable him/her to carry out his/her professional work, properly identifying him/herself in the process as being a representative from media.

2. The ASEAN journalist shall not allow personal motives or interests to influence him/her or to colour his/her views in a manner that would reflect on his/her professional integrity or would undermine the dignity of his/her profession.

3. The ASEAN journalist shall not demand or accept any payment, gift or other consideration by way of recompense for reporting what is not true, or withholding or suppressing the truth.

4. The ASEAN journalist shall honestly report and interpret the news, making sure to the best of his/her knowledge and ability, not to suppress essential facts or distort the truth through exaggeration or through wrong or improper emphasis.

5. The ASEAN journalist shall give any person aggrieved by his/her report or interpretation of the news the right of reply.

6. The ASEAN journalist shall not violate confidential information or material obtained by him/her in the exercise of his/her calling.

7. The ASEAN journalist shall not identify his/her source, and shall resist any outside attempt to make him/her do so, when specifically so enjoined by his/her informant.

8. The ASEAN journalist shall refrain from writing reports which have the effect of destroying the honour or reputation of a private person, unless public interest justifies it.

9. The ASEAN journalist shall pay due regard to the multi-ethnic, cultural and religious fabric of ASEAN countries.

10. The ASEAN journalist shall not write reports, opinions or comments which would endanger the security of his/her country or foment armed confrontation between his/her country and any other ASEAN country, striving at all times, instead, to promote closer friendly relations among them.

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